Top Chongqing Attractions | 29 Chongqing Things to Do 2025

Recommended Visiting Time: full day; March to October
Location: 190km (3 hours' drive) from Chongqing downtown

Wulong Karst, part of South China Karst on the World Heritage Site List, boasts spectacular karst landscapes. Highlights include Three Natural Stone Bridges (Tianlong, Qinglong, and Heilong bridges), Longshuixia Gap, and Furong Cave. The bridges feature breathtaking geological formations where nature sculpted three magnificent 223-281m-high spans of rock with diverse shapes. It' s also the filming site of Zhang Yimou's Curse of the Golden Flower and Transformers IV. In Longshuixia Gap, its cliffs plunge 200-500m deep into the abyss below. Anyone who stands at the edge will have a sense of vertigo and awe. Furong Cave is another noted site that showcases 1.2-million-year-old various types of stalactites in diverse shapes and is regarded as one of the world's largest limestone caves.

Recommended Visiting Time: 0.5-1 hour; after 20:00
Location: 3 km from the city center

Hongya Cave is an 11-story stilt-wooden building complex nested against a steep cliff which represents the Ba-Yu minority architectural style. When night falls, the wooden dwellings will be lit up with neon lights, putting tourists into the vivid fairy world described in Spirited Away (a famous animated movie directed by Hoya Miyazaki), which makes it a hot check-in place among travelers. With a history of over 2,300 years, it is also regarded as a living fossil of Chongqing culture.

Recommended Visiting Time: at least half a day
Location: 100km (1.5 hours' drive) from Chongqing downtown

Listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Dazu Rock Carvings encompasses 75 protected sites containing around 50,000 statues and inscribed with over 100,000 Chinese characters in the form of inscriptions and epigraphs. With a history spanning over 1,300 years, Dazu Rock Carvings is one of the spectacular grotto arts that rivals Mogao Caves, Longmen Grottoes, and Yungang Grottoes in China.

Recommended Visiting Time: 2-3 hours; except for Monday
Location: 5 km from the city center

Three Gorges Museum is one of the largest museums in southwestern China. It has a collection of over 170,000 relics and artifacts and opens four major exhibition halls with several themes. Visitors can learn about the ancient Ba-Yu culture and history, Chongqing development, and the epic Three Gorges and Three Gorges Dam here. It also offers good views of Chongqing People' s Assembly Hall, nicknamed “Little Temple of Heaven” due to its unique architecture and recognized in the Top 10 Classic Asian Architecture of the 20th century.

Recommended Visiting Time: 0.5 hour; avoiding rush hours in the daytime
Location: 7 km from the city center

Liziba Station is China' s first light rail overhead station built through and packed with a block of flats on Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2. It exemplifies the intricated transportation network of Chongqing as a mountain city and now a popular internet check-in spot to snap brag-worthy photos of the light rail transiting, seemingly "bitten" by the building, with fun by visitors' mouths in a dislocation way, or two rails heading close to each other, etc.

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 hour; in the daytime and after 20:00 at night
Location: 7 km from the city center

Eling Park was originally constructed at the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1909, covering an area of 66,254 square meters. Nestled atop a hill in the central Yuzhong District, it offers beautiful views of Chongqing city, particularly from the 7-story Kanshenglou. Designed in the Suzhou Garden style, it features pavilions, platforms, towering structures, winding pathways, ponds, bridges, and a diverse array of hundreds of plant species.

Recommended Visiting Time: 2 hours; in the daytime
Location: 18 km from the city center

Ciqikou Ancient Town sitting on a hill overlooking the Jialing River is a century-old town from the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), featuring well-restored wooden buildings. There are local wooden residents, famous snacks such as Salt Peanuts, Chen Fried Dough Twist, etc., traditional teahouses, Shu Embroidery, and other handicrafts, and thus it gained the name “Little Chongqing”. Travelers can roam around to marvel at antique architecture, have fun exploring diverse shops, and enjoy delightful snacks.

Recommended Visiting Time: 20 minutes; in the daytime
Location: 3 km from the city center

Kuixing Building is an ancient-styled 3-story architecture and is noted for its significant elevation compared with nearby structures. Atop it, there lies a spacious plaza that offers visitors a surreal experience. As one strolls across the plaza onto the two bridges linking it to the office building next to it, he/she' s awe-inspired to realize they' re standing at the equivalent height of the 22nd floor with pedestrian streets below. This astonishing display exemplifies Chongqing's reputation as the 8D Magic City, showcasing its unique and captivating urban landscape.

Recommended Visiting Time: 0.5-1 hour; after 20:00
Location: 6 km from the city center

Perched on the South Mountain in Nanan District, the Nanshan Tree Viewing Platform is named for its central, venerable Huangjue Tree. The scenic spot boasts two viewing areas: the front platform and a rear six-story tower. At an elevation of 300-320m, it delivers stunning panoramic vistas of Chongqing, especially around Chaotianmen Delta. The scenery becomes more beautiful after 8:00 pm as the city lights up, and visitors are treated to a dazzling and breathtaking nightscape.

Recommended Visiting Time: 1.5-2 hours; in the daytime
Location: 6 km from the city center

Laojun Cave was originally built as a Buddhist temple in the Tang Dynasty and then converted into a Taoist temple in the Ming Dynasty. It boasts an array of temples and cliff carvings of artistic merit and a rich Taoist history and culture. The West Gate, with a history spanning over 400 years, is an exquisite masterpiece of architectural design and stands magnificently. It' s also an excellent place for viewing Chongqing City, where ancient buildings stand in stark contrast to modern skyscrapers.

Recommended Visiting Time: 2 hours; in the morning in Summer, all day in other seasons
Location: 15 km from the city center

Chongqing Zoo stands out as one of the zoos that boasts the largest collection of pandas in China. It has over 20 giant pandas and around 20 red pandas. Visitors are treated to a delightful experience as they watch these adorable creatures engage in their daily activities. From slumbering lazily to munching on bamboo and climbing trees, every moment with these pandas is sure to captivate visitors' hearts. It also houses 260 other species of animals, including monkeys, tigers, fish, penguins, etc.

Recommended Visiting Time: 1.5-2 hours; before 22:00
Location: 4 km from the city center

Longmenhao Old Street on Nanbin Road was once a treaty port open to foreign trade, leaving more than 200 buildings that blend traditional Ba-Yu characteristics with Western architectural styles. This unique fusion, together with the contrast of the old buildings with the nearby modern Dongshuimen Bridge, attracts numerous visitors who eagerly snap photos of the area. As you roam around Longmenhao Old Street, you will discover fascinating views from various angles. The street is also dotted with specially-designed artifact stores and teahouses, making it a perfect destination for leisure and relaxation.

Recommended Visiting Time: 1-2 hours; after 20:00
Location: 5 km from the city center

Nanbin Road stands opposite Raffles City Chongqing across Chaotianmen Delta. It' s the best place to admire the magnificent sail-like Raffles City and riverside scenery, especially after 20:00. With luck, visitors here can witness the yellow Yangtze River merging with the blue Jialing River, resembling a two-flavored “hotpot”. Visitors can admire Chaotianmen Delta, visit historical museums, roam around Longmenhao Old Street, shop in Changjiahui Shopping Park, and also have a seat at one of the bars leisurely on Nanbin Road.

Recommended Visiting Time: 2 hours; 10:00-22:00
Location: 2 km from the city center

Raffles City Chongqing is perched on the Chaotianmen Delta of downtown Chongqing. It comprises a complex of eight buildings, 4 of which are crowned by a stunning 250m-high horizontal crystal skybridge, 6 blocks, and 3 basement floors, housing a shopping center, official buildings, residential units, and hotels. With its resemblance to a large sail ready to set sail, Raffles City Chongqing is an unmissable landmark for visitors to the city.

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 hour; after 20:00
Location: 2 km from the city center

Skyscraper observation decks are the best places to view Chongqing city vista with WFC Observation Deck topping the list. Situated on floors 73 - 75 of WFC at altitudes of about 590m, it' s China' s highest outdoor platform, known as the “Summit of Chongqing”. Visitors can overlook Chongqing' s core landscapes such as the convergence of two rivers, the Grand Theater, Raffles City Chongqing, etc. A visit here during nighttime is particularly recommended for a three-dimensional, dynamic perspective of mountainous Chongqing.

Recommended Visiting Time: 1-2 hours; except for Monday
Location: 8 km from the city center

The Museum is the former residence in Chongqing of American Joseph W. Stilwell, who led Allied Forces in China and US forces in the China Burma India Theater in WWII. The residence, more than 200 vintage photos and over 100 old items such as General Stilwell' s badges of honor, military uniform, helmets, canteens, and other personal belongings on display make the scenes of General Stilwell' s life and his helping the Chinese People reappear.

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 day; in the daytime
Location: 120 km (2.5 hours' drive) from the city center

Jinfo Mountain is a South China Karst World Heritage Site in Nanchuan District, featuring primitive nature, rare stones, mystical caves, cliffs, and historic temples. When the afterglow falls on the mountain, it looks like a golden Buddha, hence its name "Golden Buddha (Jinfo) Mountain". Notable spots include Azure Stream Valley, Sun-toward Golden Turtle Trail, Ancient Wild Azalea Park, Chinese Medicine Pool, etc.

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 hour; in the daytime
Location: 800 m from the city center

Surrounded by high skyscrapers, Luohan Temple is one of the most important Buddhist temples in the Han region. Built about 1000 years ago, the temple has a lengthy entrance adorned with rock carvings, a hall of painted terracotta arhat sculptures, and a hall housing a large gold Buddha statue. Its compact yet solemn and magnificent layout forms a striking contrast with the adjacent modern high-rises, making it a perfect destination for architecture enthusiasts.

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 hour; in the daytime
Location: 3 km from the city center

Huguang Guild Hall is the largest ancient guild hall group in South China, originating from the Huguang Repopulation of the Sichuan Migration Movement in 1759 in the Qing Dynasty. It' s constructed in a very traditional Chinese style with yellow exterior walls and black tiles, and the interior with exquisitely embossed doors, and windows. It' s a great spot for admiring ancient architecture, learning history, enjoying operas, and capturing antique-themed photos.

Recommended Visiting Time: 30 minutes; 08:00-22:00
Location: 1 km from the city center

Yangtze River Cableway, stretching 1,166km, is an aerial tramway line between Yuzhong District and Nanan District. Taking a ride on this cableway offers a breathtaking view of the river and the cityscapes of both districts from an elevated perspective. After 20:00, when the skyscrapers and the nearby bridge are illuminated, the scenery becomes even more spectacular. While it may provide a thrilling experience, the ride is smooth and safe, ensuring a worry-free journey.

Recommended Visiting Time: 1 hour; before 22:00
Location: the city center

Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street is one of the busiest parts of downtown Chongqing. Centered at the People' s Liberation Monument, the landmark of Chongqing to celebrate the liberation of the city from seventy years of colonial rule, there are three main roads full of stores and shops, which is absolutely a paradise for shopaholics. Visitors can also visit Bayi Snack Street to feast on local dishes such as Hot and Sour Rice Noodles, Fried Dough Twist, etc.

Recommended Visiting Time: 4-5 days

Among the 193km-long Three Gorges - the Yangtze River' s most beautiful part, the first two - Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, are in Chongqing. Qutang Gorge is the shortest but most spectacular while Wu Gorge is the most beautiful. Visitors can witness cliffs, towering mountains adorned with lush vegetation, historical relics, and jade ribbon-like water winding its way through the valley with the reflection of the sky and the surrounding landscape.

Recommended Visiting Time: 2-3 hours

White Emperor City is renowned for the historical tale of Liu Bei (刘备) entrusting his son to Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) in the Three Kingdoms Period. It showcases a wealth of cultural and historical relics, inviting visitors to explore its ancient streets, temples, forts, etc. while also enjoying stunning views, especially at Kui Gate, the entrance to Qutang Gorge, which is famously depicted on the 10 RMB note.

Recommended Visiting Time: 2 hours

At the south of Wu Gorge, Shennv Stream is a picturesque waterway renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty. The stream flows gracefully through lush greenery, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Tourists can view narrow gorges, steep mountains, and coffins hanging high on the cliffside while hearing some local histories amidst the primitive nature' s embrace.

Recommended Visiting Time: 2-3 hours

Fengdu Ghost City with a history dating back over 2,000 years ago, embodies the rich Chinese culture of “ghosts” and the afterlife and is full of ancient temples, sculptures, and folklore. Visitors can explore its mystical aura and gain insight into Chinese beliefs about life and death. It has stood as one of the most sought-after attractions for tourists on the Yangtze River Cruise for a long time.

Recommended Visiting Time: 0.5-1 day

Known as the peak of Three Gorges, Three Gorges Summit offers an unparalleled panorama of the Yangtze River like a grand tapestry. Ascending the summit, travelers will be greeted by a stunning tableau of countless mountains, cliffs, dense plants, a jade-like river, etc. The ambiance of this breathtaking scenery transforms with each passing season, from the delicate beauty of spring's blossoms to the fiery passion of autumn's foliage.

Recommended Visiting Time: 2 hours

Shibaozhai Pagoda is a vermilion 12-story pagoda that leans against the side of a cliff face, rising almost 56m high. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it' s the existing largest wooden architecture with a crossing bracket type, without using any single nail in the construction. Now it serves as a tourism resort that combines awe-inspiring engineering with mountain and water beauty. Thus, Shibaozhai has been praised as the “Bright Pearl on the Yangtze River”, one of the “Top 7 Wonders in China” and the “World 8 Strange Constructions” by the US Discovery Channel.

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